We're installing peak-hour bus lanes on Lincoln Road to make bus journey times shorter and more reliable.
The Passenger Transport Improvements Project(external link) will provide peak-time bus lanes from Halswell to the central city. The bus lanes will operate weekdays between 7am and 9am, towards the city and between 3pm and 6pm towards Halswell.
We've already installed the first section in Addington from Moorhouse Avenue to Whiteleigh Avenue. Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency completed the section of State Highway 75 (SH75) Halswell Road between Dunbars and Curletts Roads in mid-2026.
In June, work started on the section of bus lanes between Annex Road and Wrights Road, shown in green on the image below. The new peak hour bus lanes are being installed in conjunction with a wider package of works, which combines pipe replacements, transport projects and other service upgrades. This section is expected to be finished in mid-2027. Read more about the programme.
The Lincoln Road bus lanes are part of a wider project to improve transport around the southwest of Christchurch.
The southwest of Christchurch is growing fast, with more people expected to move into the area over the next 30 years. This growth puts pressure on our travel network, so we need to prepare and plan for a better way for people to travel to and from the central city.
We know there's traffic congestion along Lincoln Road at peak times, causing delays for all motorists. Buses help to reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions by carrying more people per trip. This is better for the environment and helps everyone get to where they want to go on time.
Completed
- Between Moorhouse Avenue and Whiteleigh Avenue, completed in 2022.
Underway
- Between Wrights Road and Annex Road. Work started in June 2026 and is expected to be completed in mid-2027. The bus lanes are being delivered as part of a larger infrastructure upgrade project. Learn more and sign up for updates.
Planned
- Between Annex Road and Curletts Road. Currently being redesigned.
- Between Whiteleigh Avenue and Wrights Road. Currently on hold, awaiting funding.
Bus lanes are part of the priority route and will connect with the NZ Transport Agency bus lanes along Halswell Road, between Dunbars and Curletts roads.(external link)
Work to install a new raised safety platform and resurfacing of the intersection approaches at the Lincoln Road, Barrington Street and Whiteleigh Avenue intersection was completed in October 2022.
Check out the time-lapse footage:
About the safe speed platform
We know that 55% of serious crashes happen at intersections. Slowing traffic down using features such as safe speed platforms reduces both the number and severity of crashes. It also means drivers can stop in time if they need to.
The bumps at the Lincoln/Barrington/Whiteleigh intersection are part of the permanent safe speed platform, which has been installed to reduce the speeds of vehicles entering the intersection. They are a treatment that is increasingly being used across New Zealand to improve safety through intersections and crossings by encouraging safer speeds at high-risk locations.
There have been 25 reported crashes at this intersection over a five-year period, including three serious injury crashes. Council wants to reduce the number of serious crashes on our network so everyone can get where they are going safely - regardless of how they travel.
People will continue to make mistakes when travelling, so treatments such as the safe speed platform seek to reduce the severity of injury when crashes inevitably occur. Platforms can reduce death and serious injuries by up to 40%.
There are a lot of people travelling through this intersection on foot, by bicycle, on scooters and on motorbikes. Evidence shows that if these people are hit by a vehicle travelling at 50km/h, there’s only a 20% chance they will survive.
At 30km/h, the survival rate increases significantly to 90%. The platform contributes to safer outcomes by reducing vehicle speeds to the more survivable speed of 30km/h.
This is the first time the Council has installed one at a major Christchurch intersection.
